Electrical system



Aug. 31, 1943. v. w. LEONARD' 2,328,473

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Filed Oct. 1, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fi l.

., I Inv entor" Vincent W Leonard, N by 19 6. OMAN J7 His Attorneg.

Aug. 31, 1943. v. w. LEONARD 3 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Filed Oct. 1, 1940 3Sheets-Sheet 2 45 F 3. 3. I 15 (a? :j '1, r..: MW I1 b 26 HHUFIUINHI)./V 32 I63 84 6 i g 59 M I. 1 9 058 8/ Inventor Vincent \XZ LeoTIaTd Aug.31, 1943.

v. w. LEONARD 2,328,473

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Filed Oct. 1, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 D l 60 -IG 1* I73I I i i I I78 34 Z L/Q? livqll I79 55 72? 1 1 g 1 a I58 Inventor:Vincent VV. Leonard,

His Attorney.

Patented Aug. 31, 1943 2,328,473 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Vincent W. Leonard,Saugus, Mass, assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of NewYork Application October 1, 1940, Serial No. 359,262

17 Claims. (Cl. 177-437) The present invention relates to electricalsystems and particularly to such systems comprising one or a pluralityof devices each operated by an electric motor. In such systems theoperated device may be in the form either of an indicating device or acontrol device.

One object of my invention is to provide in such a system an improvedconstruction and arrangement for varying from a remote point, such as acentral control point or station, the period of time required for amotor to effect a complete cycle of operations of the device which itdrives.

Another object of my invention is to provide in such a system animproved construction and arrangement for maintaining one or a pluralityof operated devices in synchronous operating relation with a controldevice located at a central point or station. v

A further object of my invention is to provide in such a system animproved construction and arrangement whereby the relationship between aplurality of operated devices may be changed from a central point orstation.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved constructionand arrangement of timer apparatus for use in a system embodying myinvention.

Other objects and advantages of my invention are pointed outhereinafter, and for a consideration of what I believe to be novel andmy invention, attention is directed to the following specification andthe claims appended thereto.

My invention is well adapted for use in street traffic signaling systemsand as to certain features has special application to such systems.Accordingly, it is this application of it which I have electedspecifically to illustrate and describe. It is to be understood,however, that the invention is not limited thereto necessarily exceptwhere so specified in the claims, but may be used Wherever foundapplicable.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a traflicsignal controller or timer embodying features of my invention andadapted for use in a system embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is aperspective view of an element of the timer shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is arear perspective view of the timer of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a side elevationof the cycle length regulating mechanism; Fig. 5 is a sectional viewalong lines 5-5 of Fig. 4; and Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration ofa system embodying my invention, the figure illustratingdiagrammatically the elements of the controller or timer illustrated inFigs, 1 to 5, which may be termed an intersection or secondarycontroller or timer, a group of traffic signals connected thereto, anda. master controller or timer also connected thereto.

Referring to the drawings in detail, Fig. 1 illustrates in frontperspective, a tramc signal controller of the type disclosed and claimedin the U. S. Patent 2,236,298, issued to Ralph A. Reid, March 25, 1941,and assigned to the assignee of the present application. It comprises acasing ill, a timer ii supported on hinges l2 and iii, and a switchboardl4 mounted on the rear wall of the casing 10 and below the timer H. Aflexible cable l5 connects the timer H to terminals 23 on theswitchboard I l and a cable it connects the switchboard terminals 23 tothe intersection. signals. A hand-operated switch H with a suitablelength cable i8 is connected to the switchboard terminals I9, 20. It isused to manually operate the trafiic signals, and when not in use isstored in the bottom 0! the casing it. The switchboard has mountedthereon a number of fuses. In the illustrated example there is one linefuse 2i and two fuses 22 which are connected into the systemsynchronizing conductors. A hand-operated switch 24, for changing thecontroller operation from normal sequence to flashing amber si naloperation, is provided at the right end of the board. i

In Fig. 1, only the front of the control panel 25 of the timer H isillustrated in detail. It is provided with a circular opening 26 inwhich a dial 2'! is mounted for rotation. The dial 2'! is provided withradial slots 28 arranged in a circle about the center of the dial inwhich keys 29 and 30 are placed. In the present instance there are fivekeys 29 and one key 30. The positioning of these keys relatively to eachother determines and indicates the relative lengths of the individualsignal periods or phases within a cycle. Any suitable number of slots 28may be used. Preferably I use one hundred slots because this enables thelengths of the periods or phases of a total cycle length to beconveniently expressed in percentage of the total cycle length. Asecond'group oi radial slots 3| is arranged in a smaller circle aboutthe center of the dial 2! and receives keys 32, 33 and 34. These keysare placed in selected ones of the slots 3! to indicate and todetermine, as will appear later in this specification, three distinctrelationships of the dial and of the signal time cycle of thiscontroller to the dials and to the signal time cycles of othercontrollers in the system. All the keys are held in their respectiveslots by a locking ring 35. This ring is provided with a supporting bar4| by means of which it is mounted on the end of the dial shaft. It islocked to the end of the dial shaft by a knurled nut 36.

The panel 25 of the timer H is further provided with three controlswitches mounted in a horizontal row below the timer dial. Switch 42controls the signal lamp circuits and has a "signal" position and anoff" position. Switch 43 controls the automatic and the hand operationof the signals and has an automatic" position and a "hand" position.Switch 44 controls the timer motor circuit and has a motor position andan "of[ position. The circuits which these switches control areillustrated in Fig. 6 and will bede scribed in connection with thatfigure.

The panel 25 is further provided at its upper right-hand corner with 9.lug 45 in which a screw 46 is mounted which engages a threaded openingin a lug 4'! on the casing It. By means of this lug and screwarrangement, the timer may be secured in the casing, and if desired, maybe released and swung outwardly on its hinges l2 and I 3 for inspection.

Fig. 2 illustrates in perspective a key 29. It is an elongated sheetmetal member having a body or such cross-section that it may be movedeasily through a dial slot 28 and of such length as to engage andoperate contacts mounted on the back of the control panel. It isprovided with a head 3'! which is notched to form a shoulder 3! and ahandle 39. The keys 30, 32, 33 and 34 are provided with similarly shapedheads, the bodies thereof being of difierent lengths and provided withsuitable notches as will later appear by reference to Fig. 6. Inoperation, the keys are placed in pro-selected dial slots until eachhead 31 engages the surface of the dial and prevents further movementinwardly. The ring 35 is then mounted on the end of the dial shaft andengages the shoulders 38 of the keys in both rows of slots. It is lockedin this position by the knurled nut 36. The handle ends of the keysproject over the edges of the ring and thereby indicate the respectivepositions of the keys.

The mechanism of the timer is illustrated in Figs. 3, 4, and and isshown diagrammatically in Fig. 6. Fig. 3 is a perspective rear view ofthe timer having its cover 48 (partly shown in Fig. 1) removed to.expose the mechanism. This mechanism comprises a driving motor 56connected to drive the dial 21, a block 5| of insulating material whichsupports contacts actuated by the keys in the dial 21, a signal contactoperating drum D, and operating mechanism arranged to' operate the drumD step by step in response to actuations of certain of the contacts inblock 5| by keys in the dial.

The block 5| is mounted on the back of the panel 25 above the dial 21and supports contacts which are actuated by the keys in the dial. Thecontacts mounted in block 5! are only partly visible in Fig. 3. They arearranged in pairs, the contacts of each pair being normally out ofcontact with each other. When the dial rotates, each key in the dialmomentarily raises the lower one of a selected pair to engage the uppercontact of that pair, thereby closing a circuit and The signal contactoperating drum D, as illustrated in Fig. 3, comprises a camshaft 52having thereon a plurality of disk cams 53 which control the circuits tothe signal, a resynchronizing disk cam 53a and a ratchet wheel 54. It ismounted horizontally below the dial 11 in bearings mounted in lugs IIand 62 projecting from the side of the panel 35. Lug 3| is integral withthe panel and lug 32 is removable, being fastened in place by suitablescrews 32a. The shaft with the ratchet wheel and cams is rotated step bystep by a pawl 55 mounted on a pawl arm, or crank 56. The pawlarm ispivoted at one end on the shaft 52 and at the other end is pivotallyconnected to an armature ll of a solenoid mechanism. This solenoidmechanism includes a magnet frame 68, pivotally supported from a lug 59projecting from the rear surface of the panel 25, and an operating coil60. The armature 51 moves axially through the coil and between the polesof the magnet frame. The coil 50 is intermittently energized by acircuit closed by the actuation of certain of the contacts in block 5|.When the coil 30 is energized, it lifts its armature 51 and the pawl arm56 to move the pawl 55 into a new notch in the ratchet wheel. When thecoil 60 is deenergized, the armature 51 and pawl arm 56 drop and thepawl 55 turns the ratchet wheel 54 one step to a new position. A spring31 mounted on the lug 64, integral with shelf 34 projecting horizontallyfrom the lower edge of the panel 25, resiliently engages the pawl 55 atthe end of this downward movement and prevents it from being forced outof its notch by any attempted movement of the drum past this position,and thereby prevents the drum from moving beyond this last positionresponsive to its momentum.

A contact block 63 of suitable insulating material is mounted on thepanel 25 above shelf 64 and carries a series of movable contact arms 35,the ends of which ride respectively on the signal circuit controllingcams 53. Contact arms 35 are suitably supported adjacent to their lowerends and carry contacts 6 5a adjacent to their ends which engage fixedcontacts 65b mounted on block 63. The contact arms are biased to aposition wherein the contacts on the arms are in engagement with thefixed contacts by springs 65 located between heads on pins 65 and thearms. Pins 65 are suitably attached to block 63 at their inner ends andproject through openings in effecting an operation. The contacts areshown in greater detail, and the circuits are diagrammatically shown, inFig. 6. Their operation will be described in.detail in connection withthat figure.

the arms. At 65 are suitable terminals and terminal screws forconnecting electrical wires of the cable l5 (see Fig. 1) to theterminals. The lower ends of the contact arms engage these terminals toreceive current from these wires. In the present instance, six signalcontact arms 65 are shown, this being the number required for theparticular system illustrated. As shown at the right hand side of Fig.3, however, space is provided for additional contact arms, shouldadditional contact arms be needed for any system. Cooperating with theresynchronizing cam 53" is a resynchronizing contact arm 65 similar tocontact arms 65 and provided with a contact 65 which cooperates with afixed contact 65* on panel 53.

The cams 53, 53* comprise disks the rims of which are divided intosections by radial slots, selected sections being broken out to providecams of the desired contour. Cams of this type are more particularlyshown in and comprise the subject matter of the application of Ralph A.

Reid, Serial No. 105,684, filed October 15, 1936, and assigned to thesame assignee as this application. As the cams rotate, the contact armsand 80 are held in positions such that the contacts 65' and 85' are outof engagementwith cooperating contacts 60' and 85" when riding on therim section, and are lowered where the rim sections are broken away tobring the contacts into engagement. The circuits connected to andcontrolled by these contacts are shown in Fig. 6 and will be dealt within the description of that figure.

The driving motor indicated generally by'the numeral 50 is preferably aself-starting synchronous motor of the type disclosed in U. S. Patent2,105,513 issued to A. F. Welch. It includes a casing attached at oneend to a supporting plate by tabs H projecting from the casing and byscrews 12 projecting through the tabs into the plate, The motor shaft13,- which is not shown in this figure but appears in Figs. 4 and 6,pro- Jects through the plate and-is provided with a pinion 14.

The plate 10 is pivotally mounted on a frame 8| by a screw I5 projectingthrough the plate at one corner thereof and threading into a post 8! onthe frame. It is held stationary in a selected position about this pivotby a screw 10 and washer ll, which clamp the edge of the plate at apoint opposite its pivot egainst the end of a post 11" on frame 8i (seeFig. 5). The plate is clamped in the position in which the motor pinion'I4 engages a gear 90 in the train connected to drive the dial 21. Thepivotal mounting of the motor makes possible a readjustment of theposition of the motor whenever it is desired to change the size of gear90.

The dial 21 is mounted upon a shaft 18 (see Fig. 6), which shaftprojects through a yoke 19 into the panel opening 26. It carries thedial on one end and a gear 80 on its other end. The

yoke I9 projects across the panel opening 26 being attached to the backsurface of the panel near the edge of the opening 26. It is sufficientlyspaced from the panel opening to provide a clear space for the keysprojecting from the back of the dial and to enable them to move with therotating dial.

Frame 8| is U-shaped having a front wall 8i and a rear wall ill. It isattached to yoke 19 by screws 82 and S3 and is held in correct spacedrelation to yoke 19 by spacing lugs 84 and 85 carried by the yoke andframe respectively through which screw 02 passes and by similar spacinglugs (not shown) through which screw 83 passes. Carried by the walls Bland 8I of frame 8I is a mechanism operable to control the operatingcycle length of the timer. This mechanism comprises a clutch, means foropening and closing the clutch, and gearing through which the clutch isconnected to motor pinion I4 and to the dial gear 80. Referring nowparticularly to Figs. 4, 5 and 6, such mechanism comprises a clutchshaft 86 mounted in suitable bearings 01 and 88 in frame 8i. Fixed toshaft 86 at one end is one member 89 of the clutch and fixed to theshaft at the other end is a gear 90 which meshes with motor pinion l4.Clutch shaft 86 is held against axial movement by a plate 9| attached toframe Si by screws 92 and having a forked end, the tines of which engagea groove in shaft 86.

The second and cooperating clutch member 93 is mounted upon a clutchshaft 94 in the form of a sleeve which surrounds and is suitablyjournaled on shaft 86 and is axially movable thereon.

81 through which clutch shaft 84 is connected by intermediate gears todrive the dial 21. The intermediate gears are shown in Fig. 6 whichshows the pinion 01 in engagement with a gear 98 mounted on a shaft 89.Shaft 99 is mounted in the frame 8| (Fig. 4), and carries a pinion I00which is in engagement with gear on the dial shaft to complete the geartrain between clutch shaft 84 and dial.

Armature 00 is a bar of magnetic material and is mounted at its centeron clutch shaft 04 to provide two ends or pole pieces arranged to rotatepast the pole faces of two electromagnets IN and I02. Electromagnets INand I02 are fixed to the inner face of frame wall 8I by suitable screwsas shown in Figs. 4 and 5 and are arranged on diametrically oppositesides of clutch shaft 94.

The timer is provided with signal flashing contacts and operating meansfor the contacts. This mechanism comprises a block I03 of insulatingmaterial attached to the upper edge of the plate 10. (See Figs. 3 and4.) Mounted on block I03 is a stationary contact I04 and cooperatingtherewith is a movable contact I05 carried at one end of a contact armI05. The contact arm N15 is supported on the block I03 by a pin Hi5 andis urged downwardly by a suitable coil spring surrounding the pin, andwhich serves to bias arm I05 to a position in which contacts M4, M6 arein engagement with each other. At its free end, arm I05 is provided witha nose I0? which rides on the surface of a rotating cam its mounted on ashaft I09. Shaft I00 is journaled in frame 08 and has fixed thereon apinion H0 which meshes with the motor pinion 74. When cam I08 rotates,it intermittently effects movement of contacts I04 and H36 into and outof engagement with each other.

Referring to Fig. 6, the master timer comprises a synchronous motor HIwhich may be and is preferably the same type of motor a'smotor 50 in thesecondary controller. The drive shaft N2 of motor I I i is provided witha pinion H2 which is shown in engagement with one gear of a gear cone'3. The gear cone H3 is mounted on a shaft H4 which shaft is parallel tothe motor shaft H2. The speed at which this cone shaft is driven isdetermined by the speed of the motor shaft II2 and by the gear ratiobetween the motor pinion H2 and the engaged gear on the gear cone. Thedesired speed for the motor shaft is obtained by suitable speedreduction gearing enclosed in the casing of the motor I II and a desiredgear ratio is obtained by moving the pinion H2 into engagement with thegear of the cone which will give that desired ratio.

The gear cone shaft II4 drives a master dial comprising a toothed wheelII5 having thereon teeth which actuate a contact I3i. Contact I3I ismounted on a resilient arm I32 which is rigidly mounted at one end andis provided with a nose I36 at it other end. The contact I3i rests on astationary contact I30 the position of which may be made slightlyadjustable in any suitable manner (not shown) and is so chosen that theend of nose I36 falls below the path of the tooth ends and, therefore,into the notches between the teeth. When a tooth moves under the end Thecontacts I90, ISI are connected in an electrio circuit which includesthe winding of the electromagnet IOI and which may be traced from thesource of electrical energy A indicated by the plus sign adjacent tocontact I29, through the contact to contact IlI, arm I92, conductor I",normally closed contacts I29, I21 (the function of which ishcreinaiterexplained) arm I21, and conductors I34 and I" throughelectromagnet IIH to ground. During operation, this circuit is normallyclosed so that magnet IIII is normally energized. It is opened each timea tooth on wheel II5 passes under nose I" to lift contact I3I fromengagement with contact Ill.

The operation of the master timer to control and regulate the period ortime for secondary dial 21 to make one complete revolution, will be nowdescribed.

Assume that motor switch 44 is closed, thus closing the operatingcircuit from the source of electrical energy B, indicated by the plussign, through motor 50, and that motor 50 is running. Motor 50 will thencontinuously turn clutch member 89 and will turn amature 9B and dial 21when clutch member 93 is in engagement with clutch member 89, i. e.,whenever the clutch is closed. Also, assume that motor III is operatingand through the gearing is turning master dial II5. Also, assume thateach time the master dial II5 makes one revolution, the secondary dial21 is to make one revolution and that to this end the gear ratio betweenthe clutch shaft 94 and the dial shaft 18 and secondary dial 21, is50:1, 1. e., it requires 50 revolutions of clutch shaft 94 to turn thedial shaft and dial one revolution, and that there are 100 teeth onmaster dial H5. Since armature 98 has two pole pieces, a pole piecepasses the pole face 01' magnet IIII each one-halt revolution of clutchshalt 94, and since the speed ratio between clutch shaft 94 andsecondary dial 21 is 50 to 1, then a pole piece passes the pole face ofmagnet IIII one hundred times during one revolution of second-,

ary dial 21, a number equal to the number of teeth on dial I I5. Furtherassume that the gear ratios ar such that motor 50 through its gearswould, if clutch 89-93 were continuously closed turn secondary dial 21one complete revolution in sixty seconds and that it is desired that itbe made to turn such dial one complete revolution each seventy seconds.To do this the master timer is set, as hereinafter explained, to causethe master dial to make one complete revolution in seventy seconds.

Now assume that contacts III! and III are in engagement so that magnetIBI is energized and that a pole piece or armature 98 is held inenasaas'rs for a pole piece 01 armature 99 to move away from the poleface of magnet I III, after which the magnet circuit is again closed. r

Motor It turns clutch shaft 94 until the other pole piece reaches thepole lace or magnet III whereupon it is attracted to the magnet polerace to again open clutch 99-93 and stop rotation of secondary dial 21.Since motor ll! drives shaft 99 and clutch member 94 at a speed suchthat shaft 49 makes a one-hair turn beiore master dial III makes one-onehundredth of a turn, the pole piece will reach the magnet-pole lace andbe attractedbyit to open the clutch and stop rotationoi dial 21 beforethe next tooth on dial III engages gagement with the magnet pole face,thus holdv ing open clutch 89-93 which mean that dial 21 is stationary.Now, when'a tooth of dial H5 moves contact I3I away from contact I30,thereby opening the magnet circuit, armature 99 is released and clutchshaft 94 is moved by spring 95 to close the clutch 89-93 whereupon motor59 through the clutch starts to rotate the armature and, through thegearing, the dial 21. The arrangement is such that the time required fora tooth on dial Hi to move under nose I39 is such that it holds themagnet circuit open long enough nose I" and moves it to an extentsuilicient to again open the magnet circuit. As soon as the next toothon dial III does open the magnet circuit, the armature 99 is released topermit the armahire to make another one-halt turn alter which it will beagain stopped; and then released when the next tooth on dial I It opensthe magnet circuit. Thus there is imparted to the clutch shaft 94 anddial 21 a series or successive intermittent or step by step turningmovements, one hundred such intermittent or step by step movements beingrequired under the assumed conditions to.

impart one complete turn to dial 21. Since in the illustrated example,it has been assumed that motor III tends to turn dial 21 one completeturn in sixty seconds, this means that on each actuation dial 21 isturned for sixty-one hundredths of a second and is stopped for ten-onehundredths of a second. Or, viewed from another aspect, motor 50 throughclutch 99-92 tends to turn dial 21 one complete revolution in sixtyseconds and in order to increase the time for one complete revolution toseventy seconds, the dial is during its turning movement stopped for atotal period of ten seconds, the ten seconds being divided up among onehundred separate stops, each one-tenth second in duration.

In a similar manner, secondary dial 21 can be made to make one completerevolution in a ditterent period of time by operating master dial II! ata different speed, the only limitation being that the speed be such thatthe time for one revolution or dial II! is greater than the time inwhich motor lll tends to turn dial 21 one complete revolution. In otherwords, secondary dial 21 can be made to make one complete revolution inany period of time greater than that in which motor UII tends to turndial 21 one complete revolution by suitably setting the driving meansfor master dial IIII. Accordingly, in laying out the apparatus, it is soarranged that the desired minimum time for one complete revolution 0!the driven or secondary dial will be that at which the driving motor 59drives the dial with clutch l!9l continuously closed. This may be termedthe basic cycle length. Then to effect a revolution of the driven orsecondary dial in the minimum time, it is only necessary that the magnetcircuit III be held continuously open so that clutch 899I remainsclosed.

It is to be understood that the specific figures given in the foregoingdescription of the operation of the apparatus are only by way of exampleand are not to be taken as in any way limitin; the invention. However,in actual practice, I prefer to deal in hundredths since, as alreadystated, this enables the divisions or phases of a cycle of dial 21 to beexpressed readily in percentages.

The nose I39 is so adjusted relatively to the teeth on the dial. I iithat the contacts I39 and I 3| are opened for a time period at leastlong enough for a pole piece of bar armature 96 to moveaway from thepole face of the electromagnet at all operating speeds of the masterdial H5 and that the contacts I38 and I3I be reclosed before the otherpole piece of." the bar armature reaches the pole face of theelectromagnet.

The speed of the master dial H5 is changed by changing the gear ratiobetween the motor pinion H2 and the gear cone H3. To facilitate thischange in gear ratio, the motor III -is supported on .the end of a leverH6 pivoted by a sleeve I23 upon a shaft II I. The other end of thislever is provided with a handle H8 and projects through an opening H9 ina panel I20. A knife edge I2I is provided on the handle end of the leverto cooperate with notches I22 in a side of the opening I I9. To slidethe motor along the shaft III, which is parallel to'the cone. axis. itis necessary to first move the lever H6 about its pivot. This movementdisengages the pinion from the gear cone and releases the knife edge I2Ifrom a slot I22. The lever may then be moved along the shaft H1 untilthe pinion H2 is'in line with the selected cone gear. The lever then mayagain be moved about the shaft H1 until the pinion H2 engages the gearand the knife edge I2I simultaneously engages the corresponding notchI22. The notches I22 are arranged to take into account the size of thegears in the gear cone so as to effect proper meshing of pinion H2 withthe gears of the cone.

The gears in the gear cone are chosen to provide a desired full range ofspeeds for the dial H5, the largest of the gears being chosen to givethe longest desired operating cycle and the small- -est being chosen togive an operating cycle longer than the basic cycle length of thesecondary,

controller. This is necessary because, as above pointed out, the mastercontroller functions only to increase the secondary controller cyclelength over its basic cycle length. Stating this in terms of cyclelength, the master controller may be made to function tomaintain, forexample, a 60 second or longer cycle length if the basic cycle lengthfor the secondary controller, as determined by the gear ratio betweenmotor 50 and dial 21, is less than 60 seconds.

The gear 90 of the secondary controller which determines the basic cyclelength of the controller is arranged to be removed and another geargivin a different basic cycle length substituted. The master controller,on the other hand, is equipped with a gear cone which permits speedsettings for a complete range of speeds and is not arranged to bechanged should the range of control be limited by changing the gear 90in the secondary controller. It is, therefore, desirable to providemeans in the master controller to prevent the use of those gears on thegear cone which would tend to produce 9. revolution of dial H5 in aperiod of time less than the basic cycle length of the secondary dial.This means should be readily adjustable and should provide for adisconnection of the master controller if any attempt be-made to adjustits speed so that it makes a complete revolution in a period of timeless than that of the secondary controller basic cycle length. Such ameans, which in the present instance is in'the form of a cut-off switch,is provided on shaft I I I. v

The cut-ofl switch, or gear ratio limiting device, comprises a block ofinsulating material I24 slidably mounted on the shaft H1. It is arrangedto be locked into any position to which the block and engages thecontact arm I21.

When the contact arm is in closed contact position, the head I28 of theplunger is spaced from the side of the block. The sleeve I23 whichcarries the motor arm is provided with a lug I29 so 7 that when thesleeve is moved close to the block I24, the lug I29 engages the head I28of the plunger and moves the :plunger to separate the contacts. Anyfurther attempt to move the sleeve along the shaft III is then preventedby the block I24. In operation, therefore, it is first determined whichof the gears at the small end of the cone are not usable because of thebasic cycle length of the secondary controller, and the block I 24 ismoved accordingly and positioned to prevent the movement of arm H6beyond the smallest gear which may be used. The block is moved into aposition such that the lug I29 will just touch the plunger head I28 whenpinion H2 is positioned to engage the smallest permissible gear on thegear cone and the block is locked in this position. The arm H6 may thenbe moved into position for putting pinion H2" into engagement with anyone of the larger gears on the cone but any attempt to move it to putpinion II2 into engagement with a smaller gear on the cone, than ispermissible, will first open the contacts I26 and I2! and then will bestopped by the block I24. In operation, when arm H6 is moved to aposition'in which contacts I21 and I28 are separated, the circuit ofmagnet IN is opened so that clutch 89-93 remains closed and dial 21 isoperated by motor 50 at its shortest or basic cycle length.

In actual practice, in the case of a traffic signaling system, thenotches I 22 in the mastertimer and the corresponding gears of cone H3may be arranged to represent definite cycle lengths and be so marked.For example, the first notch at the left may represent a cycle length of30 seconds and successive notches toward the right increase in cyclelength by 5 seconds up to the maximum provided for. In setting up thesystem, the intersection timer may be provided with a gear 90 to givethe desired basic cycle length, i. e., the cycle length at which thetimer normally operates. For example, if the basic cycle length is to be40 seconds, then a gear 90 is placed on shaft 86 of a size to give thisbasic cycle length withth'e clutch 89, 93

I28 into engagement with lug I29. Thus, the

master timer is readily adjusted to correspond with the basic cyclelength desired for the intersection timer.

Th member which carries the keys or actuators 29, and the member whichcarries the circuit closer move relatively to each other to eil'ect acycle of operations, in the present instance a cycle of operation of thetraihc signals. Normally, with clutch 89, 93 closed, motor moves themovable member, in the present example dial 21, through its cycle in apredeter- I or a complete cycle is then varied by varying the length ofthe period of time between steps, the number of steps remaining alwaysthe same.

Viewed from another aspect, it may be considered that electromagnet IOIis normally energized to hold the clutch open and that it is deenergizedat definite intervals of time to permit the clutch to close and turndial 21 one step of predetermined extent. A definite number of steps isrequired for dial 21 to make a complete revolution and the time requiredfor a complete revolution is varied by varying the period of timebetween steps.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention, magnet IM and the clutch89, 93 are shown so arranged that energization of the magnet opens theclutch. However, if desired, the reverse arrangement may be used and aform of clutch other than that illustrated may be used.

The rotation of secondary timer dial 21 effects successive energizationsof magnet winding 60 to impart step by step turning movement to thesignal contact operating drum D which in turn controls the operation ofthe traffic signals which are indicated diagrammatically at I15 and I11.

Carried by block 5! is a stationary contact 131 adapted to be engaged bya movable contact I38 fixed on the free end of a resilient arm I39, theother end of which arm is fixed on the block 5i. Attached to the freeend of arm I35 is an actuating block I39 having a sloping undersideadapted to be engaged by keys 29. Dial 21 rotates in the directionindicated by the arrow and a key 29 in passing under actuating block I39lifts contact i38 into engagement with contact I31, contact i3B droppingdown out of engagement with contact I31 again as soon as the key passesbeyond the block. When contact I38 engages contact I31, a circuit isclosed through magnet winding Gil as follows: From source of energy B,indicated by the plus sign, conductor I40, contacts I31, I38, arm I39,conductor I4I, contacts 65 65 (assumed to be closed), conductors I43 andI44, switch 43 and winding 60' to ground.

When this circuit, which may be termed the normal operating circuit forwinding 50, is closed, armature 51 is lifted thereby lifting pawlbringing it into engagement with the next tooth or notch on ratchetwheel 54; and when the circuit is opened again, armature 54 drops downto effect a turning movement of ratchet wheel 54 a distance equal to thedistance between two teeth or notches. This turns the signal contactoperating drum D a similar amount. In the present instance, the contactoperating drum has six signal operating cams 53 and a resynchronizingcam 53. In Fig. 6, for purposes of illustration, the stationary contacts85 and 65 and movable contacts 65 and 65 which are controlled by thecams on the drum D are shown as being spaced and bridged by the contactarms and 55. The stationary contacts 55 are connected by the conductors01 cable I5 to trafiicsignals I16, I11 which are indicateddiagrammatically as being in the form of the usual red, amber and greenlights. The two right hand pairs of contacts 65', 65 in the presentinstance control the amber lights and are connected thereto throughcontacts I14, I18 in switch 24. The other four pairs of contacts 55, 85control the green and red lights and are connected directly thereto.Cams 53 are shaped to operate contact arms 85 to give the desired signalsequences or signal cycle phases as the cams are turned step by step bypawl 55. All the signal lights are connected to source of supply Bthrough contacts I48, I50 in switch 24. The circuits for the signallights may be traced as follows: Source of supply B, switch 42,conductor I48, contacts I49, I50, and conductor I30 to the row ofstationary contacts 55; then through the two right hand contacts 65 toswitch contacts I14, I18 in switch 24, and conductors I15 and I19 to theamber lights and through the other four contacts 65 directly to the fourconductors I6 01 cable I6. In the present instance, ratchet wheel 54 hassix notches or teeth so that six operations of pawl 55 are required toturn the cams one complete revolution and thus operate the signalsthrough one complete cycle. Resynchronizing cam 53 is so shaped that infive of the six positions of the cams, the contacts 55, 65 are inengagement while in the sixth position, which may be termed theresynchronizing position, they are separated. It will be noted that thenormal operating circuit for magnet winding 60 includes theresynchronizing contacts 65, 65. Accordingly, a key 29 can effectenergization or magnet winding ill and a turning movement of the camsonly when resynchronizing cam 53 is in a position such that contacts 65,65 are closed.

Fixed at one end to block 5|, adjacent to contact arm I39, is a contactarm I41 having at its free end a contact I45 adapted to engage a fixedcontact I48 on the block. Also, on the free end of contact arm I41 is anactuating block I41 similar to actuating block I39. Actuating block I41stands in the path or movement of key 30 and as dial 21 rotates, blockI41 is engaged by key 30 to lift contact arm I41 to bring contact I45into engagement with contact I46, contact I45 drop ping out ofengagement with contact I46 again as soon as the key passes beyond theblock. Key 30 is provided with a notch 30' so that it does not engageoperating block I39.

When contact I45 engages contact I45, 9. circuit is closed throughmagnet winding 60 as follows: From source of energy B through switch 42,conductor I48, normally closed contacts I49, I50 in switch 24, conductorI5I, contacts I45, I45, contact arm I41, conductors I52, I44, switch 43,and winding 60 to ground. When this circuit, which may be termed theresynchronizing circuit. is closed, armature 51 is raised and when thecircuit is opened again, the armature tails to effect turning of thesignal operating drum one step as already explained. It will be notedthis resynchronizing circuit does not include the contacts controlled byresynchronizing cam 53'. Also, it will be noted that there are five keys29 and one key 30, a total of six'keys, and that there are six notchesor teeth on ratchet wheel 54. Accordingly, for a complete revolution oi.drum D to effect a complete operating cycle of the tramc signals, thereare required six actuations, one by each of the five keys and one by key30.

Assume now that an intersection timer is operating, dial 2] rotating inthe direction of the arrow, that the various switches are in thepositions shown in Fig. 6, and that dial 21 1s in correct synchronousrelation with drum D. It will be seen that key 30 has just actuatedcontacts I45, I46 and moved beyond the same which means that the lastactuation of drum D was through the resynchronizing circuit.Accordingly, resynchronizing cam 53 has been-moved to the first positionbeyond the resynchronizing position and contacts 65, 65 are closed. Asdial 21 continues to rotate, keys 29 are brought sucbe clear, the keysmay be changed readily at any time to give the set-up desired. The key30 is preferably placed at the end of the main street cessively intoengagement with block I38 to successively close the normal operatingcircuit for magnet 60 and thus eilect step by step turning movementofdrum D. Upon actuation by the fifth key 29, i. e., key 29 just inadvance of key 30 as regards the direction of rotation of dial 21,resynchronizing cam 53 will have reached a position in which it opensthe resynchronizing contacts 65 65 The next actuation will be by meansof the resynchronizing key 30 engaging the block I41 to close theresynchronizing circuit. As long as dial 21 and drum D are in correctsynchronous relation with each other, the operation just'described willcontinue.

Assume now that dial 2'! is not in correct synchroncus relation withdrum D. This may happen, t r example, when the signals have beentemporarily operated by hand control by moving switch 43 into positionto close the circuit through hand switch I1 and the signals have beenput back for operation by the controller by moving if it so happens thatthe drum .is in the position in which contacts 65 65 are in open circuitposition, no energization of coil 60 and operation of the drum willoccur until resynchronizing key 30 actuates contacts I45, I46 to close.the resynchronizing circuit, keys 26 being ineffective to close thenormal operating circuit since this circuit is open at theresynchronizing contacts 65 65 and when this occurs, dial 21 and drum Dwill start operation in correct synchronous relation relatively to eachother. On the other hand, if the controller is started into operationwith the dial 21 and drum D not in correct relationship but at a timewhen resynchronizing cam 53 is in position such that resynchronizingcontacts 65 65 are in closed circuit position, then keys 29 will eiiectoperation of the drum until resynchronizing cam 53 is ,moved to aposition in which the resynchronizing contacts 85, 65 are opened afterwhich no further operation of the drum can occur until resynchronizingkey 30 actuates its contacts I45, I whereupon the dial 2'1 and drum Dwill start operation in corcessive actuations of the signal lights andas will 75 green period. The drum D being stopped at the correspondingposition maintains the main street green period until it is advanced bythe operation of the key 30. As a result of such positioning of the key30, the heavy main streettraiiic is kept moving and the relatively lightcross street trafilc is held up for the period necessary toresynchronize the drum with the dial.

In a traflic signaling system comprising traffic signals at a pluralityof successive intersections, it is desirable often to maintain apredetermined relationship between the signal cycles of successiveintersections and also to change such predetermined relationship. Forexample, it may be desirable during the morning hours to favor thetrafllc coming into the city, during the evening hours to favor outgoingtrailic, and during the day, to operate the signals for average tramcconditions. To accomplish this, there is provided in the system animproved form of reset mechanism.

In the master controller, there is provided a pair of resetting contactsI53, I54, the contact I53 being stationary and the contact I54 beingfixed on the free end of a contact arm I55 which is fixed at its otherend on a stationary support. The free end of contact arm I55 i providedwith a downturned nose I51 adapted to be engaged by a tooth I56 carriedby master dial H5. When tooth I56 move under nose I5'I,'it lifts contactarm I55 to move contact I54 out of engagement with contact I53; and whenit moves beyond the nose, the contact I54 drops back into engagementwith contact I53. Contact arm I55 is connected to a switch arm I58 bymeans of which .it may be connected to any one of a plurality ofconductors which extend from the master timer to the intersection timer,three conductors I69, I60 and I6i being illustrated ingthe presentinstance. Conductors I56, I60 and I 6| are connected by conductors I62,I and I8'Irespectively to spring contact arms I63, I66 and I68. Contactarms I63, I66 and I68 are fixed at one end to block BI and at their freeends are provided with contacts adapted to engage fixed contacts I63,I66' and I68. Also, at their free ends, they are provided with actuatingblocks I63", I66 and I68 similar to actuating blocks I36, I41. The keys32, 33 and 34 in dial openings 3I are adapted to engage actuating blocksI66", I63 and I68 respectively, key 32 being provided with a notch sothat it will not engage block I63 and key 34 being provided with a widernotch so that it will not engage either blocks I63 or I66". When a key32, 33, or 34 passes under the corresponding actuating block, thecorresponding contact arm is raised to bring its contact into engagementwith the corresponding fixed contact I63, I68or I68, the arm droppingagain to separate the contacts when the key passes beyond the actuatingblock. Fixed contacts I63, I66 and I68 are connected by a conductor I64to one terminal of electromagnet I02, the other terminal being connectedto ground.

Assuming that switch I56 is connected to conductor I60, as shown in Fig.6, the electromagnet I02 is in a. circuit as follows: Source ofelectrical energy A, contacts I53, I54, contact arm I55, switchl58,conductor I60, conductor I65, contact arm I66, contact I66, conductorI64, and through the electromagnet to ground. Contacts I53, I54 arenormally closed. The contact on contact arm I66 and contact I66 arenormally open. I! secondary dial 21 is in correct synchronous relationwith master dial II5, then when key 32 reaches actuating block I66 andraises it to close the circuit through magnet I02 at contact I66 toothI56 will have simultaneously reached nose I51 on contact arm I55 andraised the contact arm to open such circuit at contact I53, I54. As aresult, nothing happens and dial 21 continues rotating. On the otherhand, if secondary dial 21 is not in correct synchronous relation withmaster dial II5, then key 32 will reach actuating block I66 to close thecircuit through magnet I02 at contact I66 at a time when tooth I56 onmaster dial H is not at nose I51. As a result, the circuit throughelectromagnet I02 will be closed, thus energizing the electromagnet I02and when a pole piece 96 passes in front of the pole face ofelectromagnet I02, it will be attracted to open the clutch 89-93 andstop rotation of dial 21. The parts will. then remain in this positionuntil tooth I56 reaches nose I51 and moves contact I54 out of engagementwith contact I53, thus opening the circuit through electromagnet I02.

When the circuit through electromagnet I02 is opened, armature 96 isreleased to permit the clutch to close so that dial 21 is again drivenby motor 50. Thus, it will be seen that dial 21 after being stopped dueto energization of electromagnet I02 is started off again in correctsynchronous relation with the master timer dial II5. If it is desired tochange the synchronous relation between secondary dial 21 and masterdial II5, switch I53 is moved to place electromagnet I02 in circuit witheither conductor I59 or I6 I. If switch I58 is connected to conductorI59, then the circuit controlled by key 34 will be put into operationand when key 34 reaches actuating block I68 it will close the circuit atcontact I68, thus closing the circuit through electromagnet I02 andstopping rotation of dial 21.- Then when tooth I56 reaches nose I51, itwill open the circuit at contacts I53, I54 and permit dial 21 to startoperation in the new synchronous relation with the master timer.Likewise, by connecting switch I58 to conductor ISI, the dial 21 can beplaced in the synchronous relation to master dial H5 determined by theposition of key 33.

The conductors I34, I59, I60 and I6I are line conductors-which extendfrom the master timer, which may be located at a desired central point,to all the intersection timers of the system. In Fig. 6, theseconductors are indicated as extending beyond the intersection timerillustrated and I, I62, I65 and I61 indicate branch conductorscorresponding to conductors I35, I62, I65, I61 leading to anotherintersection timer similar to the one illustrated. In actual practice,as many secondary timers as found desirable may be connected toconductors I34, I59, I60, I6I, all controlled by the onemaster timer.

In such a system, the keys 32 of all the secondary or intersectiontimers would be located in their respective dials 21 so as to give onedesired relationship of the signal cycles of the intersection timers ofthe system, and likewise the keys 33 and 34 would be located in theirrespective dials 21 to give two other desired relationships. Then bymoving switch I58, the timers at all intersectionscan be changed fromone signal cycle relationship to another; and having been so changedsuch new cycle relationship will be maintained automatically by themaster timer. Also, when changing the signal cycle of relationship, orat any other time, the signal cycle length of all the intersectiontimers may be changed by changing the time of rotation of master dialII5 by means of the gearing III, I I3.

In the present instance, three resets are provided by the threeconductors I50, I60, I6I but a greater or lesser number may be providedas found desirable. In this connection, it will be noted that the resetelectromagnet I02 operates through the same mechanism in theintersection timer, 1. e., the armature 96 and clutch 89, 93, as doesthe cycle length maintaining arrangement. This serves to simplify theconstruction and to make it possible to provide the reset arrangement atminimum cost. Also, it enables me to provide an intersection timer whichwithout appreciable additional cost is arranged to have themultiplereset feature added to it since the timer may be built providedwith the set of dial openings 3I, the block 5| arranged to receive theadditional contact arms I63, I66 and I68 and the contacts I63, I66"- andI68, at negligible added cost. Then the timer may be sold as a completeapparatus without the parts required for the reset; and when reset iswanted, the needed additional parts may be added.

Also, it will be noted that the motor and the mechanism between it andgear 80 which drives dial 21 are all carried by the frame 8| which inturn is attached to yoke 19 by the screws 82. By removing screws 82, theframe BI and all the parts carried by it may be removed as a unit. Thisis advantageous in case of repair. Also, in case a simple timer isrequired without either cycle length adjustment or reset, frame BI andthe parts carried by it may be replaced by a similar frame having on itonly a motor and gearing for direct connection to gear 63.

My cycle length adjusting mechanism whereby the total cycle length isincreased by steps distributed uniformly throughout the cycle is ofparticular utility in a system wherein the cycle YII of the timer ismade up of a number of different phases occurring one after another andwherein the length of time of the phases are to be adjusted relativelyto each other, a condition met with in the case of traflic signals wherethe cycle is divided into green," red and amber phases for example,since any increase or decrease in the cycle length will be uniformlydistributed among the several phases. In the pres ent instance, forexample, there has been illustrated a construction wherein the dial 21has one hundred slots 28 for keys 29, the master dial II5 has onehundred teeth, and a pole piece of armature 36 passes the pole face ofelectromagnet IOI one hundred times each cycle. Accordingly, anyincrease or decrease in the total cycle length is divided upproportionately among the cycle phases of the total cycle as determinedby the location of keys 29 and 30 and this is true irrespective of howsuch keys are adjusted relatively to each other s nce there is a timeadjustment for each key. Accordingly, in carrying out my invention, Iprefer for best results to provide a number of increments oi. timeadjustments equal to the number of cycle adjustment divisions, that is,in the present embodiment of my invention, a number of teeth on masterdial II5 equal to the number of slot 20 in secondary dial 21. However,this is not essential necessarily, as sufflciently accurate resultsmaybe obtained in many cases by using alesser number of Increments oftime adjustments. In the illustrated example, for instance, I mightprovide only fifty teeth on master dial H in which case there would bean increment of time adjustment for every other slot 28 which would besumciently accurate in many instances. The important thing is that thetotal stopped period of the dial 2! during a cycle shall be dividedamong the successive phases of the cycle with a degree of accuracysatisfactory in the particular instance.

Another important advantage of my arrangement is that the dials ofseveral controllers, after being brought into synchronism, aremaintained in synchronism with each other and with the master controllerthroughout the operating cycle. It has been pointed out in thespecification that each dial is moved by its respective motor for apredetermined distance, in the illustrated example of its revolution,and then is stopped for a predetermined time period depending upon theincrease desired over the basic time cycle. To carry out this operation,the armature is attracted to the pole face of the actuating magnet atthe end of each half-revolution and is thereby positively held until themagnet coil is deenergized. One member of the clutch is attached to thearmature shaft and the attraction of the armature operates this clutchmember to open the clutch. The operation of the clutch magnet is uchthat the armature is substantially centered over the pole face duringthe attraction movement and through the train of gears connecting thearmature shaft to the dial, the armature accurately and positively holdsthe dial at its predetermined corresponding position. As a result ofthis operation any discrepancies that may occur due to the difierence inoperating speeds of the several controllers are eliminated at theinstant that the armatures reach their respective pole faces and arethereby held stationary. The clutch coils are thereafter simultaneouslydeenergized and the movement of each dial simultaneously starts andcontinues for another half-revolution of the clutch shaft, or ,600 of arevolution of the dial.

In apparatus of the type used to illustrate my invention, the dials aredriven by synchronous motors the speeds of which are exactly alike. Itwould be still possible for the dials to drift out of synchronism,however, if they were not positively stopped at each predeterminedposition, i. e., at the end of each half-revolution of the clutch shaft.With the apparatus built in accordance with my invention the dials arepositively stopped at the end of each half-revolution of the clutchshaft. It is, therefore, possible to hold the dials in substantialsynchronism throughout the moving and stopping period if the dials aredriven by synchronous motors, and to resynchronize the dials at the endof each step or one hundredth revolution, if other types of motors areused and there should be any asynchronous relationship caused by avariation in the speeds between these motors and the respective dialsduring that preceding step. It is of considerable advantage to usesynchronous motors, however, because in case of central power failurethe timer motors remain in step, also the timers may operate initiallyin a non-interconnected system subject to further interconnectionwithout auxiliary control devices.

When it is desired to discontinue normal operation of the signals andhave flashing amber operation, used often as a caution signal, switch 24is moved to separate contacts I49, I50, thus disconnecting source ofsupply B from the drum contacts and to bring contacts I14, I18 toengagement with contacts I12, I13. This connects the amber lights to theflasher contacts I04, I06 by a circuit which may be traced as follows:Source of supply B, switch 42, conductor I10, contact arm I05, contactsI06, I04, conductor I1I, contacts I12, I14, and I13, I18 to conductorsI15 and I19 respectively and thence through the amber signal lights toground. Now with the motor 50 running, contact I06 will be movedintermittently into engagement with contact I04 by cam I08 tocontinuously flash the amber signal. The cam I08 is driven directly fromthe motor pinion 14 and therefore provides a constant rate of flashregardless of the operating cycle length of the timer.

During operation of the amber signals as flashing signals, dial 21 willcontinue rotation. It will be noted that contacts I49, I50 are in theresynchronizing circuit which includes contacts I45, I46 so that whenswitch 24 is moved to flashing amber position, the resynchronizingcircuit is opened at contacts I49, I50. As a result, keys 25 will effectstep by step movement of drum D until the resynchronizing position ofthe drum is reached, that is, the position in which contact arm 65 ifmoved by cam 53 to separate contact 65 from contact 65*. This opens thenormal operating circuit for drum D so that the drum will remaincontinuously in resynchronizing position. When switch 24 is moved backto normal operating position, it closes the resynchronizing circuit atcontacts I49, I50 so that the first time the resynchronizing key 30closes contacts I45, I46, the drum D will be started ofi in correctsynchronous relation with dial 21 which is the green main signalposition in the described controller,

To operate the signals manually, switch 43 is moved from the positionshown in Fig. 6 to a position where it engages switch contact 43, thusconnecting solenoid winding 60 directly to source of supply B throughhand switch I1 and conductors Ill. The drum controller can now be movedstep by step as desired by closing hand switch I1. To put the timer backon automatic operation after it has been on hand operation, it isnecessary merely to move the switch 43 from engagement with switchbutton 43 back to the position shown in Fig. 6; and when moved back tothis position, during the first cycle of operation of dial 21, such dialwill be resynchronized with drum D as already explained.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

1. In a traffic signaling system, the combination of a circuit closerfor controlling signal circuits, a plurality of circuit closeractuators, members on which thecircuit closer and the circuit closeractuators are respectively mounted, a motor, means including a clutchwhich connects the motor to one of said members for rotating itrelatively to the other member to effect actuation of the circuit closerby the circuit closer actuators, said clutch being normally closed, andmeans for intermittently opening the clutch at uniformly spaced timeintervals for a uniform selected time period during each revolution ofsaid rotating member thereby intermittently to stop said rotating memberto lengthen the period of time required for one revolution of suchmember beyond that at which the motor tends to operate such member withthe clutch continuously closed and to distribute uniformly throughoutthe rotation of said dial the increments of said additional time period.

2. In a trafilc signaling system, the combination of a circuit closerfor controlling signal circuits, a plurality of circuit closeractuators, members on which the circuit closer and the circuit closeractuators are respectively mounted, a motor, means including aclutchwhich connects the motor to one of said members for rotating itrelatively to the other member to effect actuation of the circuit closerby the circuit closer actuators, said clutch being normally closed, andmeans for intermittently opening the clutch at spaced time intervalsduring 9. revolution of said rotating member thereby to stopintermittently said rotating member to lengthen the period of timerequired for one revolution of such member beyond that in which themotor tends to operate such member with the clutch continuously closed,and means operating through said clutch for maintaining a predeterminedphase relationship between said last named means and said rotatedmember.

3. In a traffic signaling system, the combination of a circuit closerfor controlling signal circuits, a plurality of circuit closeractuators, members on which the circuit closer and the circuit closeractuators are respectively mounted, a motor, means including a clutchwhich connects the motor to one of said members for rotating itrelatively to the other member to effect actuation of the circuit closerby the circuit closer actuators, said clutch being normally closed,means for intermittently opening the clutch at spaced time intervalsduring a revolution of said rotating member thereby to stopintermittently said rotating member to lengthen the period of timerequired for one revolution of such member beyond that in which themotor tends to operate such member with the clutch continuously closed,means operating through said clutch for maintaining a predeterminedphase relationship between said last named means and said rotatedmember, and means operating through said clutch for changing the phaserelationship between said penultimate means and said rotated member.

4. In a traflic signaling system, the combination of a circuit closerfor controlling signal circuits, a plurality of circuit closeractuators, members on which the circuit closer and the circuit closeractuators are respectively mounted, a motor, means including a clutchwhich connects the motor to one of said members for rotating itrelatively to the other to effect actuation of the circuit closer by thecircuit closer actuators, said clutch being normally closed, anelectromagnet for opening the clutch, a circuit for the electromagnet,means for varying said circuit to cause the electromagnet to openintermittently the clutch at spaced time intervals during a revolutionof said rotating member thereby to stop intermittently said rotatingmember to lengthen the period of time required for one revolution ofsuch member beyond that in which the motor tends to operate such memberwith the clutch continuously closed, and means comprising a secondelectromagnet operating through said clutch for maintaining said rotatedmember in a predetermined phase relationship with said circuit varyingmeans.

5. In a traflic signaling system, the combination of a circuit closerfor controlling signal circuits, a plurality of circuit closeractuators, members on which the circuit closer and the circuit closeractuators are respectively mounted, a motor, means including a. clutchwhich connects the motor to one of said members for rotating itrelatively to the other to eflect actuation of the circuit closer by thecircuit closer actuators, said clutch being normally closed, anelectromagnet for opening the clutch, a circuit for the electromagnet,means for varying said circuit to cause the electromagnet to openintermittently the clutch at spaced time intervals during a revolutionof said rotating member thereby to stop intermittently said rotatingmember to lengthen the period of time required for one revolution ofsuch member beyond that in which the motor tends to operate such memberwith the clutch continuously closed, means comprising a secondelectromagnet operating through said clutch for maintaining said rotatedmember in a predetermined phase relationship with said circuit varyingmeans, and means operating through said second electromagnet and saidclutch tor changing the phase relationship between said rotated memberand said circuit varying means.

6. In combination, a rotating member, a motor, means connecting themotor to the member including rotating clutch members, an armaturerotating with one of the clutch members, an electromagnet having a poleface adjacent the path of movement of the armature, an electric circuitfor electromagnet, means for varying said circuit to cause theelectromagnet through said armature to open the clutch a predeterminednumber of times during a revolution of said member, and means forvarying the length of the period of time between clutch openings to varythe period of time required for a revolution of said member.

7. In combination, a dial, a plurality of spaced actuators carried bythe dial, said actuators being adjustable on the dial relatively to eachother, means operated through a cycle by said actuators, means forimparting to said dial stepby-step turning movements of predeterminedextent, means for varying the period of time between steps to vary thetime required for a. cycle of operation of said first mentioned means,and means for maintaining said dial in a predetermined phase relationwith said period varying means.

8. In combination, a rotating secondary dial, a motor, a master dial,means controlled by the master dial for efl'ecting turning of thesecondary dial by the motor one complete revolution in a predeterminednumber of steps, means for varying the period of time between steps tovary the time for a complete revolution of the secondary dial, and meansfor changing the phase relation between said secondary dial and saidperiod varying means.

9. In combination, a rotating member, a mo tor, means connecting themotor to the member including rotating clutch members, an armaturerotating with one of the clutch members, electromagnet means for movingsaid armature to open the clutch and thereby stop movement of therotating member, and mean electrically connected with said electromagnetmeans for opening the clutch a predetermined number of times during arevolution of said member and maintaining it open each time for apredetermined period of time to effect a revolution of said member in apredetermined period of time and for maintaining said rotating member ina definite phase relation with said last named mew.

10. In combination, a rotatable dial, actuators on the dial adjustablethereon relatively to each other to a predetermined number of definitepositions, a shaft, gearing connecting the shaft to the dial requiringthat the shaft make a number of turns commensurate with said number ofpositions to turn the dial one complete revolution, means forsuccessively imparting to the shaft said number of turns, and means forvarying the interval of time between turns to increase the period oftime required for the dial to make a complete revolution.

11. In a traffic signaling system, the combination of a plurality ofsecondary timers connected in parallel, each comprising a rotatingmember controlling the operation of trafli signals, switch meansoperated by the rotating member, a motor, a clutch through which themotor drives the rotating member, and means for opening the clutch, amaster timer, switch means operated by the master timer, a synchronizingcircuit including said last. named switch means and the first mentionedswitch means and the clutch operating means of each secondary timer,said two switch means being operable to eifect opening or the clutch andstopping of the rotating members 01' all the secondary timers in apredetermined phase relation relatively to each other and then to effectclosing of all the clutches to start the rotating members operating insuch phase relationship.

12. In a trafllc signaling system, the combination of a plurality ofsecondary timers connected in parallel, each comprising a rotatingmember controlling the operation of traflic signals, a motor, a clutchthrough which the motor drives the rotating member, and means foropening the clutch; a master timer, a plurality of circuits, switchmeans for connecting the master timer to any one of said circuits,switch means for each circuit in each secondary timer controlled by therotating member of such timer, and through which each circuit isconnected to the clutch opening means, a switch means common to all saidcircuits, and means in the master timer for operating said last namedswitch, said last named switch means and the switch means in eachsecondary timer of a selected circuit being operable to effect openingof the clutches and stopping or the rotating members of all thesecondary timers in a predetermined phase relation to each other andthen to sheet closing of all the clutches to start the rotating memberoperating in such phase relationship.

13. For use in a system of the character described, a timer comprising acircuit closer for controlling signal circuits, a plurality of circuitcloser actuators, members on which said circuit closer and said circuitcloser actuators are respectiveiy mounted, one 01 said membersbeingrotatable relatively to the other, a motor, gearing connecting the motorto the rotatable member comprising clutch members and drivin and drivenclutch shafts movable axially relatively to each other on which theclutch members are mounted, an armature mounted to rotate with theaxially movable shaft, and an electromagnet mounted adjacent to the pathoi movement of th armature and having a pole face past which thearmature moves, said electromagnet when energized being adapted to movesaid armature to operate the clutch.

14. For use in a system of the character de scribed, a timer comprisinga rotatable dial, a motor means including a-movable clutch member forconnecting the motor to the dial, an armature which rotates with saidconnecting means and is connected to said clutch member, and anelectromagnet having a pole face past which the armature rotates andwhich when energized moves the armature to actuate said clutch member.

- 15. In a signal control system the combination of a motor, a signalcontrol dial, means including a clutch connecting said motor to saiddial, means for opening said clutch at predetermined positions duringits revolution, and a master controller connected to operate saidlast-mentioned means to delay said dial at the predetermined positionscorresponding to said clutch opening positions.

16. In a timer for use in a system of the character described, thecombination of a signal control dial, a motor, a clutch connectedbetween said motor and said dial, said clutch having a clutch memberconnected to said motor and a second clutch member connected to saiddial, and an electric current responsive device arranged to operate saidsecond clutch member to disconnect said motor from said dial at apredetermined position of the clutch and to hold said clutch member andsaid dial stationary.

17. In combination a rotatable dial, a continuously rotating motor,means for connecting the motor to the dial comprising a clutch, meansfor normally closing said clutch, means for opening said clutchcomprising a bar armature connected to the clutch member which is indriving connection with the dial, an electromagnet having a pole facesubstantially equal to the width of the b armature and positioned alongthe path of movement of said armature and means for periodicallyenergizing said electromagnet during a revolution of said dial wherebysaid clutch is opened and said armature with the said dial connectedthereto are periodically stopped at predetermined positionscorresponding to the timing of the excitation of said electromagnet andcorresponding to the positioning, of said electromagnet along the pathof movement of said armature.

VINCENT W. LEONARD.

cmnmncms or conaxcnon. Patent No. 2,528Jfl5- August 51, 191

vmcm WIEONARD.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed Specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3,first column, line 50, for "egainet' read--against--; page 9 firstcolumn, line 69, for "further" read --mture--; page 10, second column,line 50, after "for" first occurrence, insert --the--; and that the saidLetters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the samemay conform to the record; of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this) 9th day of-November, A. D. 1914.}.

Henry van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.-

CERTIFIGTE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,528, 13}. v 7 August 51, 191

vmcm NQLEONARD.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed 'apeoiricationoi the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5,first column, line 50, for "ego-inst read "against"; page 9 firstcolumn, line 69, for further read "future"; page 10, second column, line50, after "for" first occurrence, insert --the--; and that the saidLettera Patent should be read with this correction therein that the samemay conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 9th day of-November, A. D. 1915.

Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

